Family holidays in August can be spent anywhere from Europe and the Caribbean, to Asia and the Indian Ocean, but there are also many exciting options for couples, particularly those who enjoy outdoor adventure, culture and powdery white-sand beaches.
There are plenty of destinations that are perfect for short-haul travel in Europe, if a beach holiday is on the family wish list. The Algarve boasts a number of family-friendly resorts and private villas, Sardinia is a perennial family favourite, while Halkidiki has some of Europe’s most wonderful beaches and lots for families to enjoy. For a more cultured luxury holiday for couples, Tuscany hosts Andrea Bocelli’s annual home town concert at Teatro del Silenzio this month and Siena presents the world-famous Palio, while the island of Sicily is beautiful in August and offers sublime cuisine to savour and delightful villages and towns to explore.
Further afield in the Caribbean, Bermuda is sublime in August and can be reached from the UK in just seven hours, while Los Cabos, on Mexico’s coast, is fabulous for a luxury beach holiday. Why not take a road trip down California’s Highway One first, allowing for exploration of the spectacular Pacific coastline and a chilled-out Mexican conclusion.
In South America, wildlife-viewing is amazing in August. The weather is dry and warm and colourful birds are in abundance in Ecuador’s mesmerising Cloud Forest, while the Pantanal is the showpiece destination in Brazil. Peru provides the culture, cuisine and outstanding scenery, including iconic Machu Picchu. Meanwhile, in Africa, it’s peak season to visit Tanzania for game-viewing because of the dry climate, which allows for more predictable animal behaviour during the migration.
Honeymooners flock to Bali during August to enjoy unforgettable beach holidays and wonderful weather, but it can be a little busy for some. Our top tip for a luxury beach holiday in August is the Maldives. Perfect for couples and families, it is low season and the weather is a little more comfortable than in high season, with relatively little rain. It’s great value for money, too, with hotels offering enticing deals that are hard to resist.